Debunking 8 Myths of Mobile App Development

Debunking 8 Myths of Mobile App Development

by Darryl K. Taft

Myth 1: Enterprise Mobile Solutions Are Difficult to Use

Many developers assume that enterprise-grade mobile solution platforms are bulky, difficult to use and don't provide the desired agile app development for enterprise apps. Technology has come a long way in a short amount of time, and the open-source platform approach enables the desired agility developers need today and in the future to quickly develop secure and compelling apps.

Myth 2: A Beautiful App = Five-Star App Store Rating

So much misconception is that apps have to be good looking to get a five-star rating. While this is important, performance and integration with valuable data are critical to the success of an app. The truth is developers must have the skills and tools to build for both function and form.

The data itself doesn't need to be readydata will always be ready for mobileit's the interface and how the data is processed that usually aren't ready and prevent a company from jumping into mobile. Many companies simply aren't ready to expose their systems due to the security risks. Enterprise mobility platforms offer security, authentication and data handling that enable enterprises to provide secure, well-performing apps ready for external access to corporate back ends.

App dev shortcuts may seem like a quick and easy way to get apps to market in a timely fashion. However, rapid app tools actually present developers with greater risks in security, quality and inability to update without full re-deploy. These greatly affect an organization's ability to deliver apps and new capability rapidly and manage app issues as they come up. With extremely fast turnaround times expected from mobile, this can upset users, leading to uninstall and lack of app use.

Myth 5: By Building in Native, Complexity Is Reduced

Developers often think it's easier to build apps with the manufacturer SDKs and get it to market. Native development has its advantages, but without an integrated approach that provides app management, analytics, testing and back-end integration, native app development has the potential to create more issues, more complexity and increased spending down the road. If integration isn't done right the first time around, future projects will be delayed and it can lead to an influx of performance issues that will only lead to more work for the developers and, potentially, unsatisfied users.

Myth 6: Developers Benefit More From Using the Latest Frameworks

Many developers are spending lots of time constantly learning the next new framework. There are many existing frameworks, and they move in and out of vogue rapidly. As mobility matures, developers will benefit more from consistent approaches to mobile development as they move across SDKs and frameworks. A consistent approach to security, integration, development and management enables quality and speed.

Myth 7: Multiplatform Apps Are Low Fidelity

There is a misconception that cross-platform apps are weak and don't have full functionality. Every platform may not be equal and will have its own challenges and benefits, but it's possible to develop apps that are rich in functionality and that run across multiple platforms. As companies move deeper into the world of app development, the mixing of native and hybrid will become the norm and there will be even more solutions and platforms to facilitate it.

Myth 8: App Dev Platforms Are Closed and Proprietary

Because many app development platforms are closed and proprietary, there is a misconception that developers will get locked into a set of tools that they may later want to move away from. On the contrary, the right mobility platforms will provide the flexibility that allows developers to make any real-time changes needed.

Mobile app revenue could exceed $70 billion globally, with non-games apps doubling revenue share from 26 percent to 51 percent by 2017, according to recent reports from sources such as Digi-Capital. This potential is forcing enterprises to put more focus on enabling its developers to create revenue-generating mobile apps for employees, customers and constituents. There is more pressure than ever to deliver mobile apps for the enterprise. And toolmakers are trying to do their part to make app development easier and more efficient for programmers. But with three quarters of the 19 million software developers worldwide having less than three years of experience under their belt, developers today are continuously being challenged to build compelling apps for ever-changing devices and platforms, but are faced with many misconceptions. Working with some developer experts at IBM, eWEEK debunks eight common myths so that developers can focus on building revenue-generating apps for the enterprise.